Owls are great. We have several here around the farm and I saw one while hunting a few weeks ago. He flew right to a tree not 50 yards from me while I was in a blind. It was early, probably 30 minutes after first light.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

But that GHO was absolutely silent in his two-foot ascent. He was at least as big as a chicken too. I was amazed by that silence.

Silent flight is a characteristic of all owl species.

That’s common knowledge, but experiencing it first hand at close range is a rare experience.

I’m always a little nervous my lap dog will be a victim when she goes out to potty at night. We’ve heard them hooting in our neighborhood recently.

There is at least one pair of GHOs in our neighborhood, I’ve seen and heard them while walking the dogs at sunset. Also surprised one eating roadkill one night, and they have a huge wingspan!

We had a screech owl that lived in one of the cactus on our lot. I was looking for a delivery one day, went out at lunchtime and he was sitting on a light housing looking at me like “you woke me up!”

Cool birds.

Saw this one hanging out in the backyard a few months ago. I wouldn't have known it was there except for the dog staring up in the trees... It was about 16-18 inches tall.

I love owls. Have had many encounters with them - most often while I am out hunting. Last year I was in my stand before first light and had a little screech owl fly in an land on a branch about 3 feet from me. Love hearing the call of a screech owl or GHO.

Several years ago I was walking down our driveway. We have a pine on the edge and I noticed something in it. It was this little guy. If you look closely you can see the wiring in the tree for our Christmas lights.

You're lucky to get away from that fluffy ball of seething hatred alive.

Even Satan fears Screech Owls.

We are surrounded by a state park and really close to a river on a good sized piece of land.

I call our dog, DeeOhhGee, and yodel or holler for him and these owls will go to hooting back!

They are hilarious!